| Sponsored by the Ship public house,
Stock |
Ground: Mill Lane, Stock |
| The manager of U.C.C. summed
it up after his team had soundly beaten us 7-1 towards the end of the season.
"you go through cycles" he said. Stock have been riding the wheel of fortune to
its crest last year when the club finished midway in division one of the Mid
Essex League, having climbed in successive years from the bottom division five,
winning the division two title en route and reaching the area final of the
Essex Junior Trophy. Yet the wheel keeps turning and one season on Stock Utd
have been relegated back to division two having finished bottom of division
one. |
| The decline was
due mainly to the loss of a number of regular players. Before the season
started the first choice goalkeeper left and when he returned to the club in
March only played four games before a leg injury ruled him out for the rest of
the season. Following this early departure another seven players left the club
by Christmas. On top of this two players then suffered long term injuries.
Trying to put out a side each week became the priority, winning matches would
be a bonus. |
| There were only
three victories in the league all season, the last way back on 28 October 2006
when Stock beat Southminster 5-2 at home. In the Dave Strachan Cup after
beating Manford Way 4-2 on 30 September, Stock crashed out 3-1 to old rivals
Gidea Park Rangers 3-1. In the league cup Stock failed to proceed past the
first round, losing 2-1 to Springfield Rouge. Two games were drawn in the
league, both against Boreham, but with a pitiful 11 points relegation was
assured. |
| There were
positives from the season though. The club signed a number of youngsters and
although two of them are off to university in October this year the club hopes
they will return to play regularly in three years time. Also, midfield dynamo
Steve Gotobe returned to the side in April after being out for a year with a
cruciate ligament injury. Off the field a hugely successful quiz night was held
last September which raised over £500 for club funds. |
| At the end of
season presentation evening held at the Ship pub on 12 May Freddie Tully was
named clubman of the year whilst the manager's and player's player of the
season went to Marc Howell. |
| The club's under
9's boys team had it's first season of competitive football and although they
have yet to register their first victory everyone is confident this is not far
away. Next season they will be joined by an under 13's team playing at Mill
Lane in the Blackwater league on Sunday mornings. |
| Once again a big thank you
is due to Kelly Shulver at the Ship pub for Sponsorship, to the Parish Council
for assisting with the cost of pitch cutting & Ann Tully and her family for
their help and support. |
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